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Is ice cream okay for kids? How about fried chicken nuggets, or French fries? It’s smart to wonder about higher-fat foods for kids. Here’s the scoop...

Trying to cut way back on fat may seem like a good idea, but your child needs some fat to be healthy. Once a child turns two, learning the habit of low-fat eating is healthful, but the 2010 Dietary Guidelines recommend low-fat eating only after age two, as little ones need more fat for brain development. If your family meals and snacks have less fat your child will pick up that way of eating.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, eating a lot of saturated fat increases the chance of heart disease later in life. Saturated fats are solid at room temperature. Some examples are butter, coconut oil, stick margarine, cheese and processed meats. So, set a good example and limit foods with saturated fat from your family’s diet. Choose mostly lean and low-fat foods to help your child and YOU maintain a healthy weight.